difficult to stay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to stay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges related to remaining in a particular situation, place, or state of mind. Example: "It can be difficult to stay focused during long meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's extremely difficult to stay clear".

The New York Times

It was difficult to stay focused.

The Guardian - Sport

It's just very difficult to stay the course.

Harvard University

These make it difficult to stay in business.

The Economist

It is difficult to stay ahead of the Scrubbing Bubbles.

The New Yorker

But at home it can be difficult to stay mindful.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's difficult to stay quiet when you're used to talking.

The Guardian - Sport

"For me, it's not difficult to stay calm.

The Guardian - Sport

I can't write, so it's difficult to stay in touch.

The Guardian

Her father Richard found it difficult to stay calm.

The Guardian - Sport

Is it difficult to stay mentally alert at night?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to stay" to clearly express the challenge of maintaining a specific condition, position, or course of action. Be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the intended meaning, such as "difficult to stay calm" or "difficult to stay in business".

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to stay" in situations where a simpler term like "hard to" or "tough to" would suffice. Overusing the phrase in very simple contexts can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to stay" primarily functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying an implied or stated subject. As supported by Ludwig, it describes the level of challenge associated with remaining in a particular condition or location.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

11%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to stay" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey the challenges of remaining in a particular state or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, it serves to express the degree of effort needed to maintain a condition, position, or action. While alternatives like "hard to remain" or "challenging to continue" exist, "difficult to stay" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. Remember to avoid overusing this phrase in overly simple contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to remain

Emphasizes the effort required to continue in a specific condition.

challenging to continue

Highlights the demanding nature of maintaining a course of action.

tough to persevere

Stresses the need for determination to overcome obstacles.

not easy to maintain

Underlines the complexity involved in preserving a particular state.

it's a struggle to keep

Implies a constant effort against opposing forces.

it is an uphill battle to sustain

Highlights the continuous effort needed to sustain a condition or activity.

proving difficult to endure

Focuses on the challenge of withstanding a situation over time.

becomes harder to abide

Indicates a growing aversion or inability to tolerate a situation.

increasingly problematic to uphold

Suggests that the difficulties in maintaining something are on the rise.

not sustainable in the long run

Highlights the lack of feasibility to continue a practice or condition indefinitely.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to stay" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to stay" to describe situations where maintaining a condition or position is challenging. For example, "It's difficult to stay focused during long meetings" or "It can be difficult to stay positive in tough times".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to stay"?

Alternatives include "hard to remain", "challenging to continue", or "tough to persevere", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "difficult to staying" instead of "difficult to stay"?

No, "difficult to staying" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "difficult to stay", using the base form of the verb after "to".

What's the difference between "difficult to stay" and "difficult to maintain"?

While similar, "difficult to stay" often implies remaining in a particular state or location, whereas "difficult to maintain" suggests preserving a condition or object. For example, "difficult to stay calm" versus "difficult to maintain a relationship".